Multiple valves



March 5, 1957 E. F. FULLWOOD 2,783,775

MULTIPLE VALVES Filed Jan. 24, 1952 4 Sheets-Sneet 1 INVENTOR' EDWARD FFULLWOOQ E hum;

ATTORNEY March 5, 1957 Filed Jan. 24. 1952 E. F. FULLWOOD 2,783,775

MULTIPLE VALVES 4 Sheets-$neet 2 IO 7 l3 8 1 II 9 1 m g 8.1m I 170 Mar h5, 1 E. F. FULLWOOD MULTIPLE VALVES 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 24, 1952w L .mU F E D m W D E N 2 mxxvw A m ATTORN EY March 5 1 Filed Jan. 24,1952 FULL-WOOD MULTIPLE VALVES 4 Sheets-5 4 VENT EDWARD F. FULLWOOD BY IATTORNEY MULTIPLE VALVES Edward F. Fullwood, Madison, Wis., assignor toAir Reduction Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y, a corporation ofNew York Application January 24, 1952, Serial N 268,101

8 Claims. (Cl. 137-6225) This invention relates to valves for fluidsystems, and particularly to an improved multiple valve.

Multiple valves comprising a plurality of individual valve unitscontrolled by a common actuating means have previously been constructed.However, such valves have heretofore not been wholly satisfactory forsome purposes; for example, they have frequently been unwieldy both asto size and arrangement of the valve means, unreliable for long termcontinuous usage, difiicult or expensive to construct and repair,inconvenient to operate, subject to leakage, especially when used withlow viscosity fluids under relatively high pressure and so forth.According to the present invention these disadvantages are obviatedthrough the provision of a novel arrangement and construction of aplurality of individual valve units associated with a housingincorporating an improved valve operating mechanism.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a multiple-typevalve of improved construction wherein several individual valve unitsare contained in a single compact housing.

It is another object of the invention to provide such an improvedconstruction wherein the valve housing is adapted to be assembled inmultiple to form a composite valve structure of any desired size ornumber of valve units.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improvedmultiple-type valve structure having improved valve operating mechanismfor actuating selected ones of the individual valve units.

It is another object or" the invention to provide a compositemultiple-type valve having a selector valve housing and a reversingvalve housing assembled in a single compact structure, wherein thereversing valve is adapted to reverse the direction of fluiddisplacement in the selector valve.

It is another object of the invention to provide a multiple-type valvehousing containing individual valve units which are especialiy suitedfor connection in reversible fiow circuits.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved compositevalve structure containing first and second valve housings havingshaving a plurality of individual valve units in each of said housingsand improved valve operating mechanism therefor adapted to provideindependent operation of valve units in said first and second valvehousings.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide an improvedvalve structure, of the type herein described, having convenientlyarranged adjusting controls for the valve operating mechanism andindexing means calibrated with respect to positions of the valveoperating mechanism.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide an improvedpositioning means cooperating with the valve operating mechanism of amultiple valve housing to orient the valve operating mechanism with therespective valve elements.

tates Patent C are provided between the valve units of the reversing iceIt is a still further object of the invention to provide an improvedneutral positioning means effective upon the valve operating mechanismassociated with the valve units of a reversing valve housing whereinsaid operating mechanism is permitted a wide range of forward or reverseadjustment and is maintained in intermediate or neutral position underpositive retentive pressure.

Qther objects and advantages of the invention will be better understoodby referring tothe following description and drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view partially in section of a preferredembodiment of the invention, showing an improved composite multiplevalve including a reversing valve housing and a selector valve housingin a single structure, and valve operating and control mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view in a plane through the valve assembly alongthe line 2-2 in Fig. 1, wherein radially extending portions of the valveunits have been omitted;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation taken along the line 3-3 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the dial face at the end of the arm casing inFig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view of the valve assembly structure takensubstantially along the line 55 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged partial section taken transversely through one ofthe valve units of the valve assembly in Fig. 5, illustrating thestructure of the valve units therein;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view in a plane taken through the valve assemblyalong the line '7-7 in Fig. 5 wherein the radially extending portions ofthe valve units have also been omitted;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8-8 in Fig. 5, lookingin the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9 9 in Fig. 5 in thedirection of the arrows;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line 10-10 in Fig. 5 in thedirection of the arrows;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view in a plane taken through the valve assemblyalong the line 11-11 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view in a plane taken through the valve assemblyalong the line 12-12 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view in a plane taken through the valve assemblyalong the line 13-43 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken along line'1414 in Fig. 5 in thedirection of the arrows; and

Fig. 15 is an enlarged view of the inner portion of the sectional viewin Fig. 14 showing a displaced position of:

the reversing valve operating shaft. v y

The preferred embodiment of the invention briefly described comprises acomposite valve structure including a selector valve housing and areversing valve housing, said valve housings each containing a pluralityof compactly-arranged separate valve units therein, a cavity in each ofsaid valve housings, valve elements correspond{ ing to each of theseparate valve units extending into the cavities in the respective valvehousings, a first adjustable shaft extending into the cavity of saidreversing valve, a

second adjustable shaft extending into the cavity of said multiple valvehousing, said first and second shafts having urged, respectively, towardpositions relative to the cor-' responding individual valve elements.Manifold plate means cooperate with the valve block of the selectorvalve housing to form an improved valve manifold wherein acompactly-arranged series of valves are'connected in a common manifoldchamber. Fluid conduit connections Positioning means are operativelyasso valve and. the. selector valve through which reverse fluid flow maybe provided in the selector valve upon operation of the reversing valve.A casing which encloses externally extending portions of said shaftshouses the shaft adjusting mechanisms and is provided with indexingmeans calibrated with respect to the operating; positions of theselector valve operating shaft.

The multiple valve disclosed and claimed herein is identical to themaster valve unit shown in the co-pending application, Serial No.268,102, of E. F. Fullwoodand I. Philippi for Surgical Table, assignedto the assignee of the present application, which was executedconcurrently herewith, and filed on the same date as the, presentapplication. The present valve is particularly intended to be used inthe manner set forth in the above co-pending application wherein it willbe seen that the valve structure comprises a master valve unit forregulating the actuating fluid in the control circuit of a fluidoperat'ed surgical table. The master valve is a. composite structurecomprising first and second valve housings which constitute,respectively, a selector valve, and a reversing valve.

Referring now to the drawings of the present application; the completemaster valve assembly is designated generally at 149 in Fig. 1 where itwill be seen to be mounted on arm members 141 which represent portionsof an operating table structure. Themaster valve unit 140 has operatingmeans comprising a shaft. 142 which extends outwardly toward one side ofthe table structure. The shaft 142, is received in a housing havingan'angle extension 143 extending upwardly and toward the head end of thetable in which the controls for the valve operating means are located.The extension housing 143 is also rigidly mounted on the table structureand terminates in a truncated dial face 144 which is at an oblique angledesigned for easy vision of the dial markings by the operator. A pointer145 is correlated with the respective positions of the valve operatingmeans which are. indicated on the dial face.

The master valve 140 is a composite structure made up of.a selectorvalve assembly 146 and a reversing valve.

assembly 147. The shaft 142 comprises an inner shaft 148 and an outershaft 149 wherein the inner shaft is co-axially disposed; the co-axialshafts being adapted to be operated independently of one another. Theouter shaft 149 is axled in the selector valve 146 and an extensionbearing 149'-and carries at its outer end a sprocket,

150. The sprocket 15 is connected by a drive chain 151 with a secondsprocket 152 that is keyed in shaft 153- journaled in the casing 143 andhaving a hand-adjusting knob 154. Manipulation of knob 154 rotates theshaft 149 through the chain and sprocket drive whereby the selectorvalve mechanism is actuated, as will be de scribed. A pair of bevelgears 155 and 156 are arrangedto transmit the adjustments of the driveshaft 153'to;

pointer indicator 145. whereby the corresponding posi tions of the valveadjusting shaft 149 will be designatedon dial face 144.

Operating shaft 148 extends through selector valve housing 146 withinthe tubular shaft 149 and into the reversing valve housing 147. At itsopposite end the inner shaft extends beyond the shaft 149 whereon isheld a sprocket 157. This sprocket is linked by a chain 158-to an uppersprocket 159 which is situated on a bushinglfitl sesame 162 and acentral valve block member 163. The endplates are held against the valveblock by bolts 163', which are visible in Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawings.Banks of valves A, B, and C are arranged circumferentially in the valveblock 163 in which each valve is an independent valve unit substantiallyas shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Each valve is set in a valve cavity in thevalve block 163, such as the valve unit B, which is enlarged andsectioned in Fig. 6. The valve units are removable and have an improvedconstruction particularly adapted for reversible fluid flow which issubstantially identical to the construction shown in the co-pending.application, Serial No. 214,127 now Patent No. 2,692,114, E. F.Fullwood, assigned to the assignee of the present application. Each ofthe valves is provided with a valve seat 164, a valve stem element 165,and fluid valve ports 166 and 167 between which the passage of fluidthrough the valve is controlled by the cooperation of the valve. seatand the valve element.

The fluid ports 167 of the bank of valves B, Fig. 5, communicate with acommon manifold chamber 168 which is formed by an annular recess in theface of end plate 162 and similarly, fluid ports 167 of the bank ofvalves A communicate with a common manifold chamber 169 in the oppositeend plate 162'. The sectional views of Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate the endplates 162 and 162 respectively. Referring thereto, inner and outerannular recesses 200 are formed in each of the end plates, on oppositesides of recesses 168 and 169 forming the manifold chambers whereinannular gasket members 201, Fig. 5, are seated to provide a fluid tightseal between the end plates and the valve block 163. Manifold chamber168 is provided with a fluid fitting 170 to which fluid conduit membersare attached and chamber 169 is provided with a similar fluid fitting171. The valve seats of each of the valve units are closed normally,except when the ends 172 of the valve stems 165, Figs. 5 and 6, whichprotrude into a central core chamber 173 of the valve housing aredisplaced by the selector valve actuating mechanism which includes aroller cam element 174. The cam element 174 comprises an elongated pinwhich is mounted at its opposite ends in disc plates 175 which arecarried on the tubular adjusting shaft 149. The cam is disposedlongitudinally within the chamber 173 and at a radius which enables itto come into contact with the protruding valve elements as it isrevolved therein around the axis of adjusting shaft 149.

-Referring again to the illustration in Fig. 6, the valve port 166 isformed inv a rotatable connecter disc 166' which is received on theshank 300 of valve cap 301. The disc 166' serves as a connector block inwhich a conduit connected in port 166 is received. An inner recess302 inthe disc 16 6' provides an annular chamber which communicates withradial openings 303 in the shank of the valve cap 301, which in turnopen into an axial passage 304 having its inner terminal opening in thevalve itself. Gasket rings 305 provide a gas-tight seal on both sides ofthe connector disc. This construction enables the disc block and thevalve opening 166 therein to be oriented in any desired direction asbest suited for connecting a fluid conduit thereto. As will later becomemore evident, the composite valve construction herein includes severalinterconnected valve units wherein the provision of connector tubes orthe like between the valve units is'greatly facilitated by thisconstruction. In the case of providing more than one valve opening, suchas the opening 166 in a single valve unit, a plurality of discs such asthe disc 166' may be carried on a valve cap having a shank portion suchas the shank 300 which is of suflicient length to carry the discconnector blocks and which has the necessary radial openings 303corresponding to each disc member thereon. Examples of the latter formare the valves R1 and R1 in Figs. 14 and 12', respectively, each ofwhich has two disc connector blocks.

tional views of Figs. 9, 10, and -11 respectively. It will be seen thateach of the valve banks includes a circumferentially spaced series ofvalve units designated by the reference letters a to j and that each ofthe valve units in the respective valve banks that are correspondinglydesignated are disposed in the same longitudinal alignment in the valveblock. Thus the valve units i, for example, in each of the valve banksA, B, and C are in longitudinal alignment suchthat when the cam element174 is positioned under one of these valves they are all simultaneouslyactuated, as seen in the illustrations of Figs. 9, 10, and 11.Similarly, as the adjusting shaft 149 is rotated, the cam 174 isselectively positioned under other of the corresponding elements of thevalve units in each of the valve banks. The central bore 173 is providedwith a vent passage 202, Fig. 11, extending outwardly of the valvehousing through which any leakage fluid that may accumulate in thechamber may be discharged. -Where desired, internal passages may beprovided to connect the ports of certain of the valve units to bettersuit the valve for certain control circuits. Such passages are shown inFig. 11 wherein passages 203 and 204 extend from ports in valves 71 ande into a common recess 205. Such expedient means connect the valves 71and e to a common fluid conduit such as required in the fluid circuit inthe copending application, Serial No. 268,102 of E. F. Fullwood and J.Philippi for Surgical Table, hereinbefore mentioned.

In the application or use of the selector valve mechanism, one of themanifold chambers may be supplied with high pressure fluid and the othermay be connected with a low pressure fluid line to accommodate themaster valve assembly in a control circuit as in the related applicationhereinbefore mentioned. The high pressure fluid is supplied from thehigh pressure manifold chamber through one of the valves communicatingtherewith and through fluid circuit conduits to fluid motor devicesconnected to such valve. Fluid discharged from the fluid device, ordevices, is returned through fluid lines to a corresponding valve unitin communication with the low pressure manifold, thus completing thefluid actuating circuit. The two corresponding valves in each of thevalve banks are actuated in unison by the cam element 174 such as inFig. 5 wherein the valve elements of valves A' and B are simultaneouslyengaged by the cam element. As the shaft 149 is rotated through itsoperative positions, in the manner hereinbefore described, the camelement comes into engagement with the valve elements of successivecorresponding valve units in each of the banks A and B opening the fluidcircuit associated with each set of valves. Intermediate valve bank Ccomprises a series of circumferentially located valve units which areactuated simultaneously with corresponding valves in banks A and B tocomplete fluid circuits including the valves C, in addition to thecorresponding units in banks A and B. The conduits received on the fluidfittings 170 and 171 are connected with the reversing valve 147, aslater described, whereby the high and low pressure lines may bealternatively connected with either of the manifold chambers 168 and 169to control the direction of fluid movement in the circuits and thereforethe direction of movement of the fluid actuated devices.

Each of the operative positions of the shaft 149'is indicated by thepointer 145 which registers with the corresponding marking on the dialface 144. The markings on the dial face are identified in Fig. 4 byreferences from a to j which correspond to the valve units in therespective valve banks that are operatively engaged by the cam element174 when the pointer 145 is in registry with the respective markings.

The shaft 149 and cam adjusting mechanism for the selector valve arecentered in the respective operating positions by a detent mechanism 176which is shown in Fig. 2 and also in Figs 1 and 5. In this mechanism acollar. 177 is fixed on the shaft 149 onwhich is secured,

a sprocket plate 178. The sprocket plate is irregular in contour havinga series of depressions ornotches 179, numbering ten in all, thatcorrespond to each of the operative positions of the adjusting shaft149. Roller pins 181) are provided to engage the sprocket plate atdiametrically opposite points. These pins are carried in link members181, each of which is pivoted at one end on posts 182 set in theselector valve housing and having free outer ends. Springs 183 arehooked at 184 on the free ends of link members 181 and are anchored onone of the adjacent fixed posts 182. As seen in Figs. 1 and 5 the linkmembers 181 comprise spaced parallel plates between which the pins 180are mounted. Thus the pins 180 are resiliently. biased toward thesprocket plate in such a manner as. to engage in the depressions 179which are oriented with respect to the operative positions of the shaft.149 and therefore center the shaft and cam actuating mechanism in eachposition. At the same time the links are adapted to expand whensuflicient torque is applied to the selector valve adjusting shaft, asindicated by the dotted line positions, so .that'the pins may ride overthe sprocket plate between the successive depressions. The rollerelementscarried on the pins permit the pins to ride over the sprocketplate with a minimum of friction.

The reversing valve 147 embodies valve L disposed in one plane and pairsof valves R and R which are arranged in separate circumferential banks.Each of these valve units is substantially identical to the valve unitsinserted in the cylinder valve housing 146. As shown in Fig. 5 and Figs.12, 13, 14, and 15, the valve elements in each of the valve unitsprotrudes into a central cylindrical cavity 185 wherein the end of shaft148, having a fixed bushing 186 thereon, is received. The bushing 186 isprovided with diametrically opposed notches 187 and 188 in the planes ofvalve banks R and R, respectively, and a notch 189 in the plane of thevalve L, In

the normal, or neutral, position of the shaft 148 these notches registerwith the protruding ends of the corresponding valve elements which areaccommodated by the depressions therein allowing all of the valves toremain closed, as shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 14. When the shaft 148isrotated in the cylindrical bore, portions of the bushing engage thevalve elements displacing the valve actuating elements and enablingfluid to flow through the valve. Referring to Fig. 15, an enlargedpartial sectional view of the inner ends of the valve elements in valvebank R illustrates the operation of the bushing 186 in a rotatedposition of the shaft 148. As may be seen therein, the valve units aredisposed in oE-center-relation to the normal vertical position of thenotched recesses 187, both of the valve elements protruding through theupper section of the cylindrical bore such that rotation of the shaftdisplaces only one of the pair of valves at a time. The diametricallyopposed notched depressions 187 are of sufiicient depth that when thebushing is rotated in one direction to displace one of the valveelements, the second valve element in that plane or bank is stillaccommodated within the opposite corresponding notched portion. Thearrangement is identical in the case of the valves R and the fiat faces188 corresponding therewith. In this manner when the shaft 148 isrotated in one direction, one of each of the valves in banks R and R areactuated and when the shaft is rotated in the opposite direction theother valve in each of the banks is actuated. The flat 189 is so made asto provide a smaller peripheral depression than the flattened portions187 and 188 and the valve element of the valve L is centrally positionedwith respect thereto. As a result, engaging portions of the bushing 186connect with the element of valve L and actuate this valve during theinitial rotation of shaft 148 in either direction prior to the actuationof the valves R and R.

The shaft 148 is biased toward its neutral position by a centeringmechanism 190, This mechanism includes g ma es aeolian 19 1mountedon aprotruding end of shaft 148 nd fiavin'g a .radial fiai 1ge, 192 King193- projects. inwardlyl from.theifiangeg andiis adapted to be receivedill the split endof 5.5m. 194. set into the housing 147. A coil spring 195 is. carried looselyon the collar 191, Fig. 3; and: is. provided withsharplyent ends 1% which are crossed and sprung seas to pinch inwardlyaround the pin 194; Thus thespring ends 196 urge the lug 193 and pin 1%into mummy intersectingpositions, as shown, and effect the neutralpositioning of the shaft 143. It should be noted thatthe neutralsettingdevice provides a positive, neutralizing force without requiring aninitial displacement of the shaft 143. This eliminates undesirable playin the neutral position of the operating shaft. The reversing valvennits'fareprovided with suitablyconnected fluidconduitswhich administerfluid to the manifold cha rnbersf1 68and 169i ofth e selector valve.Themanner in which suclfconduits are arranged is described inconnection.with FigsfI 8, 12, 13, and 14 and maybe. more fullyunderstoodin reference to an actual eased circuit byreferring to thebefore-mentioned copen dingf application, E. F. Fullwood and J.Philippi, SerialN L 268,lO2','filed concurrently herewith, and particula rly to the circuit diagram in Figs. 20 and 21 therein. InIFig. 13 a.high pressure conduit 206 is received on the inlet of line valve L. Theoutlet line 206 thereof is connected to a disc connector block 207, Fig.14, on thelvalve unit R1 in valve bank R. The connector block may. be.rotated so that the connecting tube 206 can be easily inserted betweenthe valve units L and R1; A branch tube 298 from the connector block207' connects with the. valve R2 in valve bank R. Thus the two valveunits R1 and R2 are connected in parallel with the line valve L, andbeing on opposite sides of the neutral position of the valvev operatingcam bushing 186, are opened and closed alternatively by oppositerotation of shaft 148, but not simultaneously. The outlet of valve unitR receives conduit 269 which connects with the fitting 170 of the.selector valve manifold chamber 168, Fig. 7, and the outlet port ofvalve unit R2 receives conduit 210 which connects with the fitting 171of selector valve manifold chamber 169, Fig. 8. Hence the high pressurefiuid is delivered alternatively to either the chamber 168 or chamber169, depending upon which of: the valves R1 and R2 is opened. Thefitting 170 also receives conduit 211 which connects with the valve unitR2 of valve bank R, Fig. 14, and the. fitting 171 also receives conduit212 which connects with the valve unit R1 of valve bank R, Fig. 12. Theoutlet port of valve R2 receives conduit 213 which connects with theconnectorblock 213 on valve unit R1. The outlet ports of the two valveunits R2 and R1 are thus connected through the interconnecting passagesof the valve cap to a common discharge line 254. It will now be seenthat manifold chamber 168 is connected with both valves R;v and Raofvalve bank R and manifold chamber 169 is connected with both valves R1and R2 of valve bank R. Hence since valve units R1 and R1 are at onceoperated in one setting of the shaft 148, the manifold chamber 168 isconnected in this. setting with the high pressure line and the manifoldchamber 169 is connected with the low pressure line, while in theopposite setting, valve uints R2 and R2 are operated causing manifoldchamber 169 to receive high pressure fluid and chamber 168 to beconnected with the low pressure line. Thus the reversal of fluiddisplacement in the associated control circuit is eifected.

In the operation of the master valve the selector valve operatingmechanism in Fig. l is adjusted by manipulation of the hand knob 154which selects the valve units to be opened therein. The correspondingvalve units opened in the several operating settings of the selectorvalve are indicated by the pointer 145 in cooperation with thecalibrated dial face 144. The reversing valve mechanism 1s adjusted byrotating the shaft'148"clockwise or counter-clockwise from its neutralposition. through manipulation ot-the handle '161- extending from thecasing 143, which eauS-s the high and .low ressure fluid. lines to be.alternatively placed in communication. with eitherof. the. selectorvalve manifold chambers, as above described. Erom. thence the fluid ispermitted to.

fiow through the selectively opened'valve units of the selector valveinto the circuit conduits connected thereto.

While the master valve herein described has been applied: in a specificcontrol circuit as a preferred embodiment,

it is possible to, vary the, number and arrangement of the. valve unitsin. any-desired manner. For example, in the present construction theselector valve housing is; adapted to permit several such housings to besandwiched" in a longitudinally assembled composite structure. The valveblock need not include two banks of. manifolded valves but may consistof a single valve bank. Such valve blocks and manifold plates canreadily be assembled in any desired number and sequence.

It will be seen that the present invention affords a complexvalvestructurev adapted to receive several separate, fluid circuitconnections having individual corresponding valve units associated witheach of such conduits and that the structure and control mechanism arecompactly/and conveniently arranged. it is to be understood, however,that-the invention is not limited to the specific embodiment hereinillustrated and described but may be used in other ways withoutdeparture from its spirit; as defined in the followingclaims.

I claim:

1. A composite valve structure comprising first and second valve.housings, a plurality of individual valve. units mounted, on eachofsaidhousings, each valve unit having inlet and outlet ports controlledby a valve element therebetween, the inner ends of said valve elementsextending into cavities in said first and second housings respectively,first and second adjustable shafts respectively disposed atleast partlyin the cavities of said first and, second valve housings and extendingexternally ofsaid composite structure, first and second cam meanscarried respectively on said first and second shafts for selectivelyactuating said valve elements in different adjusted operating positionsof said shafts, and positioning means operativelyconnectedv with saidfirst and second shafts for. resiliently orienting said first and secondcam means. with respect to the valve elements operated thereby, saidfirst valve housing and the valve units associated therewith forming areversing valve means and said second valve housing and the valve unitsassociated therewith forming a selector valve means, said selector valvemeans having two sets of valve units thereon, a manifold chamber foreach of said sets of valves, the valves in each of said sets beingconnected to the corresponding manifold chamber, said reversing valvemeans having two pairs of valve units, one of said pairs being connectedto a common inlet line, and each of the valve units in said pair alsobeing connected respectively to one of said manifold chambers, the otherpair of valves being connected to a common outlet line and each of thevalve units in said pair also being connected respectively to one ofsaid manifold chambers, and said shaft in said reversing valve meansbeing adapted to operate said associated valve units in selectedcombinations to alternatively connect said inlet line with either ofsaid manifold chambers and the outlet line with the other of saidchambers.

2. A valve structure according to claim 1 wherein said selector valvehousing comprises a cylindrical block, said sets of valves are arrangedin two circumferential series and said manifold chambers compriseannular chamber-s.

3. A valve structure according to claim 2 wherein the valve units insaid selector valve are disposed radially inthe respectivecircumferential series, said cavity in the valve housing having acylindrical bore portion into which the inner ends of said valveelements protrude and said shaft is substantially axially disposedtherein.

4. A valve structure according to claim 3 wherein said reversing valvecomprises a cylindrical block mounted at one end of said selector valvehousing, said cavity therein comprising a cylindrical bore in axialalignment with the bore in said selector valve housing and said firstand second shafts are in co-axial relation.

5. A valve structure according to claim 4 wherein said selector valveshaft comprises an outer tubular member rotatably mounted in saidhousing and said reversing valve shaft comprises an inner shaftindependently rotatably mounted in said selector valve shaft andextending therebeyond into said reversing valve housing.

6. A valve structure according to claim 5 wherein said selector shaft isconnected at one end with manual adjusting means having indicator meansoperatively associated therewith including a dial portion oriented withrespect to the operating positions of said shaft and an indicatorresponsive to adjustments of said shaft for designating the operatingpositions of said shaft on said dial portion.

7. A composite valve structure comprising a tubular valve housing havingsubstantially parallel end faces and a central longitudinally extendingbore, end plate members in fluid tight engagement with the respectiveend faces of said tubular housing having guide bores in axial alignmentwith each other and with the longitudinal bore in said valve housing,each of said end plates having an annular groove and gasket sealingmeans disposed concentrically with respect thereto on both sides of saidgroove in one face thereof, thereby forming a fluid sealed annularmanifold chamber at each end of said valve housing between said valvehousing end faces and the corresponding end plate members, a pluralityof individual radial valve units circumferentially mounted in saidtubular housing, each of said valve units including inlet and outletports and a substantially radially disposed, movable valve element forcontrolling the passage of fluid through said valve units, the innerterminal ends of said valve elements protruding into said longi- 10tudinal valve housing bore, said valve units being arranged in first andsecond circumferential valve banks respectively adjacent the oppositeend faces of said valve housing, one of the valve ports of each of thevalve units in the respective banks of valves opening into the end facesof the valve body adjacent thereto and communicating respectively, withthe corresponding annular manifold chambers, and valve operating meansmounted in said housing comprising a shaft rotatably received in theguide bones in said end platemembers and means carried on said shaftengageable with the ends of said valve elements in said longitudinalbore to selectively and simultaneously actuate corresponding valveelements in each of said first and second banks.

8. A composite valve structure as set forth in claim 7 wherein saidcorresponding, simultaneously actuated valve units comprise pairs oflongitudinally aligned valve units spaced successively around the outercircumference of said valve housing and said valve operating meanscarried by said rotatable shaft comprises a longi tudinal member spacedradially from said shaft and substantially parallel thereto, said memberengaging the valve elements of said corresponding pairs of valves insuccessive, corresponding angular positions of said shaft.

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